ASTS vs. IONQ: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASTS and IONQ, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ASTS’s market capitalization stands at 15.96 billion USD, while IONQ’s is 11.61 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
With betas of 2.02 for ASTS and 2.59 for IONQ, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | ASTS | IONQ |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AST SpaceMobile, Inc. | IonQ, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Computer Hardware |
| CEO | Abel Avellan | Niccolo Mcleod de Masi |
| Price | 45.6 USD | 44.39 USD |
| Market Cap | 15.96 billion USD | 11.61 billion USD |
| Beta | 2.02 | 2.59 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | November 1, 2019 | January 4, 2021 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASTS and IONQ by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ASTS
-76.72%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.07%
- Q3
- 8.07%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- -11.93%
- Min
- -31.65%
ASTS has a negative Return on Equity of -76.72%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
IONQ
-63.35%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 123.03%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- -13.44%
- Q1
- -119.16%
- Min
- -227.95%
IONQ has a negative Return on Equity of -63.35%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Return on Invested Capital
ASTS
-19.41%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.59%
- Q3
- 6.61%
- Median
- 2.97%
- Q1
- -2.58%
- Min
- -13.18%
ASTS has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -19.41%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
IONQ
-31.70%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 30.37%
- Q3
- 20.44%
- Median
- 7.03%
- Q1
- -12.47%
- Min
- -31.70%
IONQ has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -31.70%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
Net Profit Margin
ASTS
-7,033.20%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 9.21%
- Median
- 2.46%
- Q1
- -8.56%
- Min
- -29.87%
ASTS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -7,033.20%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
IONQ
-753.20%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 40.72%
- Q3
- 10.87%
- Median
- 4.33%
- Q1
- -378.64%
- Min
- -753.20%
IONQ has a negative Net Profit Margin of -753.20%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin
ASTS
-5,397.45%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.72%
- Q3
- 11.64%
- Median
- 5.79%
- Q1
- -2.28%
- Min
- -18.20%
ASTS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -5,397.45%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
IONQ
-592.84%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 42.27%
- Q3
- 13.53%
- Median
- 4.56%
- Q1
- -295.01%
- Min
- -592.84%
IONQ has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -592.84%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | IONQ |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -76.72% | -63.35% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -23.81% | -38.15% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -19.41% | -31.70% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -7033.20% | -753.20% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -5397.45% | -592.84% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -486.80% | 50.07% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASTS
10.62
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.59
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.86
ASTS’s Current Ratio of 10.62 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
IONQ
13.17
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 20.73
- Q3
- 11.54
- Median
- 2.69
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.73
IONQ’s Current Ratio of 13.17 is in the upper quartile for the Computer Hardware industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ASTS
0.02
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.02
Falling into the lower quartile for the Communication Equipment industry, ASTS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.02 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
IONQ
0.02
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 1.36
- Q3
- 0.67
- Median
- 0.04
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Computer Hardware industry, IONQ’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.02 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ASTS
-52.83
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.12
- Q3
- 9.22
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- -0.75
- Min
- -12.07
ASTS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -52.83. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
IONQ
--
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 32.50
- Q3
- 21.85
- Median
- 4.98
- Q1
- -7.71
- Min
- -34.24
Interest Coverage Ratio data for IONQ is currently unavailable.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | IONQ |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 13.17 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 12.67 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.02 | 0.02 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.02 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.82 | 0.61 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -52.83 | -- |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASTS and IONQ. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.72%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
IONQ
0.00%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 9.24%
- Q3
- 1.58%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IONQ currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 91.96%
- Q3
- 26.44%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
IONQ
-0.01%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 193.79%
- Q3
- 30.72%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IONQ has a negative Dividend Payout Ratio of -0.01%. This typically means the company paid a dividend despite reporting a net loss, a situation that may signal financial instability.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | IONQ |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | -0.01% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASTS
-31.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.37
- Q3
- 41.98
- Median
- 30.61
- Q1
- 23.44
- Min
- 2.14
ASTS has a negative P/E Ratio of -31.32. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
IONQ
-31.31
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 24.60
- Q3
- 24.01
- Median
- 20.31
- Q1
- 18.24
- Min
- 13.38
IONQ has a negative P/E Ratio of -31.31. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ASTS
15.35
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 15.97
- Q3
- 6.99
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Communication Equipment industry.
IONQ
13.67
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 9.77
- Q3
- 5.18
- Median
- 1.77
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.02
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Computer Hardware industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ASTS
5,043.28
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.38
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.37
With a P/S Ratio of 5,043.28, ASTS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Communication Equipment industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
IONQ
269.73
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 57.61
- Q3
- 47.40
- Median
- 3.37
- Q1
- 1.56
- Min
- 0.43
With a P/S Ratio of 269.73, IONQ trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Computer Hardware industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ASTS
13.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.42
- Q3
- 7.01
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.41
ASTS’s P/B Ratio of 13.32 is in the upper tier for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
IONQ
13.27
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 21.21
- Q3
- 14.71
- Median
- 9.28
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- 0.43
IONQ’s P/B Ratio of 13.27 is within the conventional range for the Computer Hardware industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | IONQ |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | -31.32 | -31.31 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 15.35 | 13.67 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5043.28 | 269.73 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 13.32 | 13.27 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -64.66 | -59.29 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | -47.80 | -49.02 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 4858.60 | 266.43 |